Risk, science, and politics : regulating toxic substances in Canada and the United States / Kathryn Harrison and George Hoberg.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Harrison, Kathryn, 1958-

Contributor:

Hoberg, George.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hazardous substances--Law and legislation--Canada.

Hazardous substances.

Hazardous substances--Law and legislation--United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiii, 235 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Montreal ; Buffalo : McGill-Queen's University Press, c1994.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Paying particular attention to how politicians and bureaucrats in the two countries deal with the scientific uncertainty that pervades environmental decision making, Harrison and Hoberg analyse case studies of seven controversial substances suspected of causing cancer in humans: the pesticides Alar and alachlor, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, radon gas, dioxin, saccharin, and asbestos. They weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each country's approach according to five criteria: stringency and timeliness of the regulatory decision, balancing of risks and benefits by decision makers, opportunities for public participation, and the interpretation of science in regulatory decision making. The Canadian approach is exemplified by closed decision making, case-by-case review that relies heavily on expert judgement, and limited public debate about the scientific basis of regulatory decisions. In contrast, regulatory science in the United States is characterized by publication of lengthy rationales for regulatory decisions, reliance on standardized procedures for risk assessment, and controversy surrounding the interpretation of scientific evidence.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Policy Making amid Scientific Uncertainty

Cancer Risk Assessment: Concepts and Controversies

Between Science and Politics: Assessing the Risks of Dioxins

Forbidden Fruit: Regulating the Pesticides Alachlor and Alar

Paternalism vs Consumer Choice:Regulation of Saccharin in Canada and the United States*

Political Insulation: The Rise and Fall of Urea-Formaldehyde Foam*

Acceptable Risks? Regulating Asbestos in Canada and the U.S.*

The Perils of Paternalism: Controlling Radon Exposure in Canadian and U.S. Homes

Conclusion: Risk, Science, and Public Policy

Notes

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [185]-228) and index.

ISBN:

1-282-85718-5

9786612857188

0-7735-6505-1

OCLC:

181843769